Managing the challenge of quitting smoking

Alex Colton —

I began smoking much later in life than most people I know. I managed to get through all of my teen years without having a single cigarette. When I was 25 I went through some hardships emotionally and financially and one day accepted the cigarette my friend offered me. I didn’t think anything of it until three months later when I realized it wasn’t a 1-time thing, but that I had started buying my own cigarettes and was smoking half a pack a day.

Two years quickly flashed by before I was ready to make a change and get back to a smoke-free life again. It was much harder to put quitting into action than I had thought it would be, even with only being a smoker for a few years.

Alex Coulton FIThe majority of my friends and family are long-time smokers who have tried quitting a few times without much success. While all being incredibly supportive, I always found the need to fall back into the smoke break routine instead of really trying to move forward.

I began thinking of ways to help—and distract—myself from smoking and fell back into something I’ve loved for a long time and had also been avoiding—the gym. As a former personal trainer I thought it would be no problem to get back into the right habit and good shape, however that first visit back was a huge eye opener.

The two years I had spent smoking had destroyed my cardio endurance and after what felt like a lifetime on the treadmill (only 20 minutes) I realized how much damage I had done in such a short period of time.

Once at the peak of my physical fitness I felt like I had to start all over. I started attending classes at the gym and started getting back into the outdoor activities I used to do all the time, skiing, skating and most of all running.

Starting like the Run to Quit program with 1-minute intervals I was able to train and accomplish 5K and 10K races. Currently getting over an injury I’m looking forward to doing this program as a way to start train
ing again with goals of a half marathon in October in mind!

This is a new 10-week smoking cessation program in which participants receive practical support on quitting smoking while also building up their fitness to do a 5-km run or walk. People enroll in a clinic through the Running Room stores across Canada (its also available as a online clinic for those not close to a store). The 10-week program begins in the spring, involves meeting up weekly for a training & running (or speed walking) session that involves personalized training and tips on staying off cigarettes and how to become a runner (for those who are not athletic at all, i.e., beginners).

This is a very gentle exercise program—definitely not a boot camp and will include nutritionists as well.

They’ve taken what research has told us about best practices to quit smoking including support, fun, physical activity and Smokers Helpline will support all participants in developing a plan that is realistic in helping them with their quit plan.